Lever adjusting device



July 5, 1955 J. L DION 2,712,385

LEVER ADJUSTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 12, 1952 JOSE PH L. D/OA/ United States Patent i 2,712,385 LEVER ADJUSTING DEVICE Application January 12, 1953, Serial No. 330,659

4 Claims; (Cl. 209-319) The present invention is an improvement in the operation mechanism for a screen holding device for threshing machines, as shown for example in the copending application of Amde Dion, Serial No. 210,394, filed February 10, 1951, now Patent No. 2,685,368. More particularly, the invention relates to an adjustably mounted operating lever in such a mechanism and is not limited to a threshing machine but is to be construed as a lever adjusting device per se.

A threshing machine as identified above includes a fixed frame structure and a shoe vibrating therein. The shoe carries a pair of screens held at one end in a pair of slidable members. The frame structure carries a lever which operates on the slidable members to release the screens for removal or replacement.

Because of the vibrating condition of the shoe, it has been diflicult if not impossible to locate in pivotal axis of the lever on the fixed frame in a permanently accurate position. The principal object of the invention is to provide a means for accurately positioning the lever and changing its position from time to time if necessary.

Another object is to provide a simple, inexpensive and durable construction for this purpose.

In the accomplishment of these objects, there is provided a plate pivotally mounted on the frame structure, and the pivot pin for the lever is journalled in this plate rather than in the frame. The pin, however, is slidable in a slot in the frame, concentric with the pivotal axis of the plate. A locking means is provided for adjustably securing the plate to the frame with respect to the pivotal axis of the plate. Further, the plate carries a stop which holds the lever in a locked position under the action of a spring incorporated in the screen releasing mechanism.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device;

Figure 2 is a plan view;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2, showing one of the screen holding members in release position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lever adjusting plate; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figure l is shown the frame structure 1 of a threshing machine. In the frame is mounted a so-called shoe 2 which is given a back and forth vibratory movement by means known in the art. The shoe carries one end of upper and lower screens 3 and 4, and the remaining ends of the screens are supported by means to be presently described.

To each side of the shoe 2, on the inner surface, is secured a bracket 6 forming a guide for a screen holding member. Each such member has a hub 8 that slides in the corresponding bracket 6 and is further formed with an upwardly extending finger 9 and a downwardly extend- 14 locked therein. This shaft Patented July 5, 1955 ing finger 10. Overthe finger 10 is a shoulder 11 adjacent to the finger 9. The frame.12 of the upper screen 3 is normally supported on this shoulder and is'abuttedby the finger 9-. The finger 10 normally abuts the frame 13, ofthelowerscreenl. f

Through the hubs 8 is passed a square shaft or axle is slidably supported in slots 15 in the sides of the shoe 2; On the ends of the shaft, outside the shoe, are secured cams 16 having cars- 17. The cars are joined by springs 18 to fixed pins19' on the shoe, whereby-the shaft 14 is seated in one end of T the slots. The holding members 8 l0 are thereby "drawn;

into engagement with the screen frames 12 and' '13' tohold the screens, as shown in Figure 2.

For releasing the screens, one end of the shaft 14 is bent downward at 20. A lever 21 is pivotally mounted on the frame and its pivot pin 22 carries a finger 23 in the innerside in order to engage arm 20. As lever 21 is turned, cam 16 engages a pin 24 on the shoe 2, and the action of the cam on the pin withdraws shaft 14 and the holding members 8-10 from their normal seats in the slots 15, acting against the tension of the springs 18. The fingers 9 and 10 are thus freed from the screen frames 12 and 13 as shown in Figure 3, and the screens can now be removed for repair or replacement. The holding members are held in the release position as long as necessary by maintaining finger 23 in abutment with arm 20.

The shoes 2 vibrate, carrying the shaft 14 and its end 20, while the frame structure remains stationary. It is therefore ditficult to position the pivot pin 22 correctly in the frame 1, before the machine is set in operation.

To pennita correct position of the pin 22 or adjustment thereof after use, the pin is movable in an arcuate slot 30 in the frame 1 and also passes through a plate 31 pivoted to the frame 1 at 32. The free end of the plate 31 also has an arcuate slot 33 receiving a set screw 34 mounted in the plate 1 and by which the plate is secured in the desired adjustment about its pivot 32. By this means, the position of the pivot pin 22 with respect to the frame 1 is adjusted and secured.

Over the lever 21, the plate 31 has a projecting stop finger 35 positioned to hold the lever 21 in a self-locked release position under the tension of the expanded spring 18 as in Figure 1.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a threshing machine, a fixed frame structure, a vibratory shoe therein, a pair of brackets mounted on opposite inner side walls of said shoe, two screens placed in said shoe one over the other, a holding member slidably mounted on each bracket lengthwise of said shoe, fingers formed on each member and adapted to engage the ends of upper and lower screens, a plate pivoted on said structure, means for securing said plate in seTected positions about its pivotal axis, said structure having a slot concentric with said pivotal axis, a pivot pin mounted in .said plate and slidable in said slot, a lever on said pin, and means on said lever for sliding said members.

2. In a threshing machine, a fixed frame structure, a vibratory shoe therein, a pair of brackets mounted on opposite innerside walls of said shoe, two screens placed in said shoe one over the other, a holding member slidably mounted on each bracket lengthwise of said shoe, fingers formed on each member and adapted to engage the ends of upper and lower screens, a'p-late pivoted on said structure, means for securing said plate in selected positions about its pivotal axis, said structure having a slot concentric with said pivotal axis, a pivot pin mounted in said plate and slidable in said slot, a lever on said pin, a shaft passed through said members and having a bent end, a finger on said lever and engageable with said end, a. cam .onrsaid shaft, and a pin on saidshoe and engageable by said cam, whereby to slide saidfshaft' and memberson actuation of said lever. l

3. A lever adjusting device comprising in combination with a frame structure, a plate pivotally mounted thereon, said structure having a slot concentric with the pivotal axis of said plate, a pivot pin mounted in said plate slidable in said slot, and means for securing said plate in selected positions about its pivotal axis, a shoe adjacent to said structure and having a lengthwise slot, a-shaft in said lengthwise slot, a spring pulling said shaft to an end of said slot, a shouldered supporting member fixed on said shaft, said shaft having an angular end, and

' 4 a lever mounted on said pin and engageable with said end, whereby to slide said shaft against the tension of said spring.

4. A lever adjusting device as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a stop finger projecting from said said plate and engageable by said lever in an extreme pressure-applying position thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 581,118 Holt Apr. 20, 1897 688,126 Rolfe Dec. 3, 1901' 842,036 Vraal'stad Jan. 22, 1907 855,354 Soucey May 28, 1907 

